The winners have been sent an email to the address listed in their entry -Please follow the instructions and send the necessary information to claim your prize.If the current winner fails to respond in 48 hours (by October 2nd ,2010), a re-drawing will take place and another entry will be selected.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A delicious read, perfect for some Friday night indulging! 'The Claiming Of Suzy' is filled to the brim with lovable characters, interesting storyline, and all the driver-seat sexcapades you could ever want.
Sassy and sensuous Suzy Bean is ready to make her move on the guy she’s always had a ‘thing’ for. He may be one hunky, tall, dark and handsome Alejandro of a masseuse with ab’s of steel and bedroom eyes that could send grandma into cardiac arrest, but Suzy is confident in her own skin and plans to drive one J.C Mosino absolutely wild.
When she finally confronts her attraction to Mosino, Suzy is optimistic at the idea of where their spontaneous living room activities will end up. But once J.C. opens his mouth and says some incendiary comments, Suzy isn't sure how they will be able to move forward.
And then, in walk Xavier Marks- new partner at Suzy's job, and an irresistible smooth-talker who reins in his attentions and focuses on Suzy! Now the choices have been laid out and someone’s got some 'Claiming' to do.

Major aspect to the plot in a sentence: Suzy Bean knows what she wants, or at least, she thought she did.
At the thirty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration for her parents, Suzy Bean gets slightly tipsy and the gallant J.C. Mosino whisks her back to her apartment to recuperate. From there, quite simply: it is ON! This is all a part of Suzy’s grand master plan to take her flirtatious friendship with J.C. to the next level. Back at the apartment, Suzy finally makes her move and to her overwhelming joy, J.C. couldn’t be more enthusiastic. They share passionate kiss after steamy, passionate kiss; or perhaps it’s that same kiss that started it all, just deliciously prolonged.
Eventually they find their way to the living room couch and as J.C. helps himself to Suzy’s ‘honey pot’, he can’t help himself and spills passionate words of praise that leave Suzy a little less than flattered. If you made a move on the man you’ve had the hugest crush on, and he actually kisses you back and THEN some-only to liken your stomach to a ‘soft, downy pillow', wouldn’t you be a little disappointed as well? J.C. further makes an ass out of himself, believing he’s done nothing wrong, and can only vaguely imagine why Suzy would slam the door in his face and refuse to open up-in more ways than one!
While Suzy gives J.C. the silent treatment, she is also quitting smoking (cold-turkey) and giving up caffeine. Suzy, a woman accustomed to never deny herself a good smoke, a double espresso latte, or a good screw, now finds herself without any of her vices.
Luckily-or maybe frustratingly- for Suzy, her sufferings are tempered by the flirtation and attentions of a sexy new man in the office building. A fine, tall glass of chocolate milk indeed, Xavier Marks is not only looking in Suzy’s direction for some fun, he’s also her BOSS!
Xavier’s intentions, while often joked upon, are sincere and he makes Suzy feel great about herself during a time when everything’s confusing the hell out of her. She still can’t seem to get over J.C.’s insensitive words or figure out what to do regarding their relationship. All the while, Xavier wants to move in where J.C. dropped the ball, but Suzy can’t help hesitating when her heart screams for another. Misunderstandings aside, can Suzy truly give up something that could be potentially wonderful in exchange for what her confused little heart has always wanted?
At the end of the day- or Halloween gala- the best man will win and Suzy will get thoroughly claimed.

Rating: 3 1/2 Red Roses

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when Suzy first meets Xavier in a coffee shop and doesn't know he's her soon-to-be boss. He's flirting with a barista who doesn't give-in to his charms, then he sets his sights on Suzy. It was just a generally cute scene because it's so obvious Xavier enjoys flirting, and Suzy calls him out on his crap, but she can't help feeling hooked-lined-and sinkered by his suave words.

If you’re looking for that patented KT Grant heat, you'll definitely find it in this novella. If you’ve read, 'For The Love Of Mollie', you are familiar with Suzy's character and probably expect nothing but sexual bliss throughout the 129 pages. Think again! While it does get hot and heavy (just the way we like it), there was a considerable amount of restraint that you wouldn’t anticipate. It was story, not a karma sutra. I admit to looking out for sex scene upon sex scene, but Grant put more depth into her characters and plot than I expected to see. Suzy is confidence personified, but when J.C. made a comment about her stomach, you saw her tough wall come down a bit. She had insecurities and indecision plaguing her left and right, but when everything came together at the end, you had a smile on your face because you realize you were rooting for her the whole time. The only thing that had me wincing a bit was the dirty talk. I am a little miss-ish and sentimental when it comes to bedroom vernacular and Grant's will definitely go outside the box and around the corner! But just like any great roller coaster -you'll enjoy the ride, regardless if you're a little faint-hearted ;). I read this on a Friday night with tons of chips ahoy and it felt luxurious! Indulge yourself and read this one!

[Special thanks to the author

for sending the PDF for review]

* And if Xavier left an impression on you like he did with me, prepare for his story! 'Xavier's Loving Arms' will be released by Decadent Publishing soon (will keep you posted with a date!)

Umm, yea, you're going to want to get in on this. Like, SERIOUSLY! lol (sorry, valley girl moment). But HELLO!? Fabulous authors, daily giveaways, all of which leads up to the release of another set of Fiery Tales! 'The Princess In His Bed' is sure to be a fabulous read, and while we use our spoons to carve tally marks in our holding cells until it comes out, Join Lila and all her friends for a month long party!!

-Mark your calendars! Starting Oct. 4th to Nov. 1st, historical romance author Lila DiPasqua will be hosting a BLOG PARTY. Counting down to the release of the next book in her sexy Fiery Tales series, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED (out Nov. 2nd, Berkley Sensation), she's hosting wonderful authors with GIVEAWAYS EACH DAY!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Hello all you fabulous Dames, and welcome to Coffee Shop Conversations! On this segment of the blog I will be conducting interviews with Authors, Bloggers and anyone else relative to the literary world and willing to answer my questions. Coffee Shops are great places to just relax, let the hair down and talk about life, love and good books! So without further adieu, let's get to chatting with my special guest:

Author Miranda Neville

"I grew up in beautiful Wiltshire in southwest England. During my misspent youth I devoured the works of Georgette Heyer, Jean Plaidy and any other historical novels I could lay hands on. As a result I attended the University of Oxford to study history, ignoring all hints that economics might be a more practical subject. I spent several years writing catalogues of rare books and original letters and manuscripts for Sotheby's auction house in London and New York. Much of my time in this job was spent reading the personal correspondence of the famous. This confirmed my suspicion that the most interesting thing about history is people. I'm also a sucker for a happy ending: I howled in the back of geography class when I was supposed to be learning about German coalfields because I hated --HATED -- the end of Gone With The Wind. I still haven't forgiven Margaret Mitchell.A few years ago I decided to write an historical romance. How hard could it be? Wrong. Several manuscripts under-the-bed (or deep in the hard drive) later, HarperCollins bought NEVER RESIST TEMPTATION, published in 2009 by Avon Books.I now live in beautiful rural Vermont with my daugher Becca, a college student and confirmed drama queen, and two cats who are never on the right side of any door."Source

"This book proves that the only reason to be disappointed by a Miranda Neville novel is because the book will eventually come to an end!" quote from my review

"She is determined to find a husband ... now! Diana Fanshawe's impeccable bloodline doesn't stop society from laughing at the antics of her eccentric family. She knows the right marriage is her one chance to make her way in the world--which is precisely why she will Marry Lord Blakeney. But then she's kissed by the brilliant ansd unconventional Sebastian Iverley, and her well-laid plans tumble into disarray.Sebastian wants absolutely nothing to do with love or marriage. He likes his books, his male friends in the Burgundy Club, and he avoids women. But when he arrives at his hated cousin Blakeney's house party, he's smitten by the tantalizing Diana.Should the lady follow her heart and try to win Iverley's, though it seems hardened against her–or should she sacrifice love for respectability?"Source

RJ: Hey Miranda! Thanks so much for stopping by for a little chat. Firstly, congratulations on your new book, 'The Dangerous Viscount', available for purchase as of 09.28.2010 (TODAY)! What have the past few months been like; with finishing the book and anticipating it's release? What have you experienced emotionally as well as professionally with the completion of this new book?

MN:Because of the long publishing lead time, I finished the book at the end of last year. Since then I've seen one book published and finished writing another. But The Dangerous Viscount is a book that means a lot to me and hasn't been out of my thoughts. I really look forward to seeing readers' reactions to it, at the same time as being a little nervous - kind of like a mother sending her kid off to kindergarten.

RJ: Why don't you tell me and the readers a little bit about 'The Dangerous Viscount' from the author's point of view?

Google's idea of a 'Book Nerd'

MN: The hero is not your average romance novel hot hunk. When the book opens Sebastian is a bit of a nerd, a book collector who wears glasses, dresses like a scarecrow and hates women. Then he sets eyes on Diana Fanshawe and falls like a ton of bricks. When he learns Diana kissed him only to win a bet, he wants revenge. He gets an extreme makeover and sets out to seduce her.

RJ:Where did the inspirations for your plot, characters and setting come from?

MN: I've always been fond of the romance plot where the guy bets he can win or seduce the heroine. I had the idea of doing it the opposite way, with the heroine doing the betting. Sebastian first appeared in my previous book, The Wild Marquis, and it occurred to me I could make the plot work with him. Then I needed to find a heroine for him and decided he'd go for someone very worldly and sophisticated, totally unlike him. Most of the book takes place in three different country houses. They are all based on real locations in England.

RJ:What challenges or difficulties did you face with the writing of this particular novel?

MN: (laughs). Just finishing a novel is always a challenge. That said, The Dangerous Viscount came relatively easily. But I don't think there's any question my biggest challenge was to make Sebastian, a nerd and a (ahem) virgin into attractive hero material.

RJ: 'The Dangerous Viscount' is not your debut novel. How does it differ from your previous books? What were you trying to achieve with this book, and also, do you feel like it's "mission accomplished"?

MN: My first two books had very strong mystery subplots. This books is all about the romance between the hero and heroine, without any subplot at all. I was able to linger over the growth of their relationship, which evolves in stages. One major development (which I can't mention without a spoiler) came as a surprise to me as I wrote. Secondary characters, Diana's eccentric family and Sebastian's friends, got a little more page time too. I enjoyed portraying a whole community while keeping the novel centered on my couple. I hope I've been successful.

RJ: Lets talk about your Hero and Heroine (Sebastian & Diana). What are their flaws and what are their redeeming qualities? Also, why are they attracted to each other (aside from physical attraction)?

MN: Diana, the young widow of a much older and wealthy husband, is socially ambitious. She tells herself that she is in love with Lord Blakeney, the handsome heir to a dukedom. But while her aspirations may seem shallow, she is rebelling against her own family who are well born but eccentric and not well accepted in society. She needs to learn that appearances aren't everything. But she is also warm and kind and intelligent and those are the qualities Sebastian falls for. Physical attraction he both feels and resists. He begins to get serious about her when he meets her family: she finds them embarrassing but he thinks they are delightful. Sebastian is prejudiced against all women (for reasons we learn during the book), set in his ways, and stubborn. He is also smart, loyal, reliable, and protective. Diana finds him likable and interesting as a person long before she is awoken to his physical attractiveness.

RJ: Your September release is the latest novel in The Burgundy Club series. What is the premise for this series/where did the idea for it come from? And also, how does 'The Dangerous Viscount' tie into/contribute to the series?

Book 1 in Series

MN:The series is about a group of aristocratic young English book collectors. At the end of The Wild Marquis, the boys form the Burgundy Club, to commemorate the rare book auction that forms the central plot feature of the story. I worked in rare books at Sotheby's auction house so I drew on my knowledge of book collecting. Sebastian is one of the collectors who became friends with the hero of The Wild Marquis. His fellow book collectors help him transform himself to win Diana.

RJ: How did your writing journey begin and how did you get here? What pit-stops, wrong turns, and perfect lane changes did you make on your road to publication?

Neville's debut novel

MN: About six or seven years ago I decided to try my hand at writing fiction and chose historical romance, something I'd always loved. My first book was very traditional in feel. After getting a bunch of rejections, I realized it wasn't going to sell. I had also learned a lot about writing a better book. I had an idea about a girl disguised as a boy who works as a pastry cook for the Prince Regent. That became Never Resist Temptation, published in 2009.

RJ: The writing process differs from author to author. Some are planners, and others just jump right in. Some consider themselves night writers, while others need daylight and a park bench or a coffee shop (wink) to set the mood for creativity; whats your writing process and atmosphere like?

MN: I wish I knew. Seriously, I'm amazed my books get written. The process is different every time and I have no routine and no established method. It's a miracle.

RJ: Romances has transcended many different sectors of pop culture. I think the Beatles said it best, "All you need is love". This being a Romance Blog, I've got to ask: what are your favorite picks from the following: Favorite Love Song?Favorite Scent on a man? Favorite Romantic Comedy? and of course, Favorite Romance Novel?

MN:Love song: The Way You Look Tonight. Scent on a man: Shaving soap from Floris, a London perfumer whose history goes back to the eighteenth century. Romantic comedy: When Harry Met Sally. Romance Novel: Pride and Prejudice

RJ: What's coming up next for you (book-wise or otherwise)?

MN: I've just finished the third Burgundy Club book (no title yet) featuring Tarquin Compton, the haughty arbiter of London society. He's going to get naked and lost in the wilderness with a governess who holds a grudge against him. Next up: Minerva, the younger sister of Diana in The Dangerous Viscount.

RJ: Do you have anything that you would like to address to your fans and the readers?

MN: I love hearing from readers, so feel free to contact me - through my website or on Facebook or Twitter (@Miranda_Neville). My website has information about the historical background of my books. Plus I'm running a fabulous contest and there's still time to enter before it closes on September 30th.

RJ:Final Question: Name something shocking or interesting about yourself that the readers may not know.

MN: There are many, many shocking things about me your readers don't NEED to know. [but] OK, here are two: I love fruit cake. [Second,] when I helped my Dad move out of my childhood home, I found a bunch of hand-written, long forgotten romances I'd started writing in my teens. They were really bad.

-MN:Thanks so much to Rita for inviting me here. I've had a blast.

-RJ:My pleasure, Miranda. It was GREAT having you on! Had a blast myself!!

~Thanks once again to my special guest, Miranda Neville, for stopping by and telling me a little bit about her life and her new book! I immensely enjoyed reading 'The Dangerous Viscount' and I know everyone else will too! I also can't WAIT to read Tarquin's and Minerva's stories!!! ~--
To all the readers, be sure to make use of those 'on the web' links above to better acquaint yourself and get connected with this fabulous author! This has been great! I hope all of you have enjoyed this edition of:

Monday, September 27, 2010

Rafe Bancroft was nothing but a scoundrel! But the sexy, infuriating man was now the owner of Forton Hall, Felicity Harrington's ancestral home. The fiery beauty was determined to save her family - and herself - from ruin at the hands of the handsome rake. But how can she, when she lies in bed each night longing for her irresistible enemy's touch?

UNTIL HE MET THE RIGHT ONE...

Rafe might have won Forton Hall in a card game, but he had no intention of settling down. No, his plan was to sell the place and be off on the next adventure - until he met Felicity. Suddenly days - and nights - spent with Felicity in his arms seem far more alluring than any exotic land. His roguish heart can't explain it...unless love is the greatest adventure of all!"Source

-Suzanne Enoch titles just leap off the shelves at me! And with her amazing blurbs and steamy covers, she's a new-to-me author I can't wait to explore! I have a book by her in my beloved TBR/Book ottoman (explanation post coming soon) and can't wait to get to it!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Upon commenting and entering into the Christina Phillips-'Forbidden' Giveaway, all those who commented/entered were given specific slot numbers (if you followed the instructions to get extra entries, your extra slots were added and given numbers as well). Diana's number was randomly selected by random.org, so that makes her our winner!

The winner has been sent an email to the address listed in their entry -Please follow the instructions and send the necessary information to claim your prize.

If the current winner fails to respond in 48 hours (September 18th ,2010), a re-drawing will take place and another entry will be selected.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A devastatingly sensual, yet heartfelt story that can resonate somewhere with ladies of all shapes and sizes. We all have our own insecurities and can sympathize and even empathize with the heroine. Several times while reading this novella, I caught myself thinking, "OMG, I would just die if that happen to me!" and "That's what I would think, too!" Mollie speaks to the second-guesser in all of us and when she wins, it feels like we all won!
At thirty-something years old, Mollie McGree has a stable career, trustworthy friends, and a crush on a man she feels she's not good enough for. The sexy Juan Carlos (J.C) is the masseuse built to perfection who doesn't seem to notice plus-sized Mollie as more than just a friend. In a bid to lose weight and snare some of J.C's attentions, Mollie joins a gym run by the physically-honed sex god, Conner Bean. After-hour's work out sessions leads to steamy sexual encounters and then tender feelings begin to develop between the couple. Conner is determined to refocus Mollie's sights to him and convince her that she is perfect just the way she is. But how do you combat the almighty ideals society has placed upon women? With lots of sex, that how!!.. (and with love, too!)

Mollie McGree isn't stick-skinny, and her C-cup bust is definitely real. She believes that by losing weight, she will make her sexy friend, J.C., notice her in a more sexually way. She does crash diets and works out as much as she can, but she’s finding the transition into something she’s not a very difficult one.
When she joins World Class Gym, run by a modern day David, Conner Bean, she can’t believe he’s paying attention to her. She continues to doubt herself, but Conner is persistent in his attempts to get to know her (and get in her panties) and successfully lays down a foundation for something deeper. They share INTENSE sexual gratification and Conner’s sincere intentions towards Mollie begin to bring down her wall of insecurities.
But when an attractive (and much thinner) whore-woman (yes…I said whore-woman! LOL) hits on Conner, and Mollie walks in on them, it’ll take something big to convince Mollie to trust in Conner’s love for her and to love herself.

Rating: 4 ½ Red Roses

My Favorite Part in the Book: Mollie is at the wedding anniversary party for the parents of her best friend, Suzy Bean. She’s been crash dieting and all the food at the party is just taunting her. Conner is there (since he’s Suzy’s cousin) and convinces Mollie to dance with him. While they are dancing, her stomach starts to grumble. She is so embarrassed by it, but Conner-Mr.Sex God himself- handles it well and shows us what we all need in a man. He doesn’t laugh at her, or try to play it off. He blames himself for fast-tracking her to the dance floor without seeing if she wanted something to eat. I choose this scene because I know how embarrassing it is when you have a hungry belly attack in front of a cute guy. Connor’s concern just made me swoon!

This novella was a real pleaser while sending a message at the same time. You'll connect with the characters and fell empowered by the time you finish reading. I loved the way Grant used the body issues and insecurities we all feel to show how silly we can all be. Girls, this is my message to you: EAT BITCH! Do you like McGriddles? Then eat McGriddles. Point blank. Some of us aren’t meant to see the number 2 on our clothing unless we’re playing softball or something. ‘For The Love Of Mollie’ is all about embracing your size, but also being conscious of your health. Eat healthy, but don’t feel like you’re inferior just because you like your cake and eat it too every now and then.
Oh and did I mention how frecking HOT this story is? When I say Connor is a Sex-God.. I MEAN IT! Keep a bottle of water handy as you read this story. You’ll need it!

[A special thanks to the author

for sending the PDF for review]

*You fell in love with her 'tell it like it is' style in 'For The Love Of Mollie'. Now, find out why Suzy Bean just disappered at the end of the story. 'The Claiming Of Suzy' will be avalible from Decadent Publishing on 9/25/2010!

Monday, September 20, 2010

In this rousing addition to the Burgundy Club series, Miranda Neville takes the classic ideals of a historical protagonist and turns it on its head! The Dangerous Viscount features a new kind of hero, and you won't be able to NOT fall in love!
In a society filled with scandalous rogues and irresistible rake-hells, yet determined to make an irrefutable match that can withstand the 'oddness' of her family, Diana Fanshawe must tread carefully in her search for a new husband.
Book connoisseur, Sebastian Iverley, isn't as dangerous as all that. At least, not until AFTER his whirlwind makeover from geek to chic.
A kiss that started it all, a bet that went awry, and a thirst for revenge which seals the fate of a timid bookworm and a confident temptress, are the circumstances in which an ever-lasting love is forged.

Diana Fanshawe isn't necessarily ashamed of her family, but her determination to marry well and keep their 'eccentrics' out of the drawings rooms of fashionable society is unparalleled. She sets her cap for the cocksure Lord Blakely (a duke) and tries to convince herself that a lifetime with him is exactly what she wants. Diana just wants to be normal and make her way in society without the backhanded comments and never-ending whispers.
She finds her way into Lord Blakely's inner-circle during an intimate house party, and though Blakely doesn't show an overwhelming affection for her (he like's her fortune well enough), he ropes her into a bet that targets his 'homely' cousin, Sebastian. Blakely questions Sebastian's experience with females (along with his sexuality) and it is up to Diana to entice him to kiss her in an allotted amount of time.

Sebastian Iverley is as bookish as they come and doesn't have time for females. He finds the annoying giggle-machines his cousin usually fawns over infuriating, and would rather not be bothered. Then he meets Diana, and his opinion on women soon changes. The urges he has suppressed since adolescence soon takes precedence and the kiss he shares with Diana sets his blood afire, making him rethink his position on the opposite sex.
But that new found appreciation for women is shattered when he overhears his cousin and a cohort discussing the bet they started with Diana. He was so close to proposing marriage to the schemer, and then he has to find out that everything was a lie? A joke!? Sebastian has more pride than that, and soon calls on his stylish comrades from the Burgundy club to give him a makeover that will fit his new title of 'Viscount Iverley' and turn more than a few heads. He plans to exact revenge on Diana for playing him like a fool and make her regret what she did to him.

Diana doesn't understand why that kiss with Sebastian won't stop hounding her thoughts, but as the Season starts to pick up, and the proper marriage she envisioned with Blakely begins to pale, Diana can't restrain her jealousy over the New Sebastian. She never found him unattractive, but his new look isn't going completely amiss either. He ignores Diana completely and pays court to the giggly nuisances he once made fun of, further stroking her ire.

Sebastian soon put the next phase of his plan into action, and the consequences turn out to be for a lifetime. But all is not lost, because unconditional love lasts just as long.

Rating: 4 Red Rose

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when Sebastian goes to a brothel for the first time. He wants to increase his experience so that when he seduces Diana, he has the necessary skills. But he can't go through with it and rushes out. The scene had all sorts of implications, but I found it funny when the whore gives Sebastian leave to touch her body and he slips his hands into her bodice. The way he describes the encounter in his mind is just too hilarious for words. (There were many memorable moments in this book, but I just chose this one because once you read the novel, you'll giggle yourself pink at this particular part!)

[Here's a clue: I will never be able to think of raisins as an innocent snack anymore]

This book was different and yet classic in many ways, and well worth a read (or two!). The plot takes you through many ups and downs and all the while, Diana and Sebastian experience tremendous growth. Diana was social conscious to a fault and Sebastian was a practical scholar who didn't give a wit about 'image'; but together they embraced who they were and developed the confidence to love themselves as well as each other. And Sebastian's super raw vulnerability is so beautifully written and displayed for us readers to see. I was pleasantly surprised by his unique character and fell in love with him just as quickly as I fall in love with all the other macho hero's from historicals. This book proves that the only reason to be disappointed by a Miranda Neville novel is because the book will eventually come to an end!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

"Notorious, handsome, and decadent, the Lords of Vice prowl the glittering ballrooms of Regency London - breaking rules and hearts with equal aplomb. But even the wildest rogue must eventually meet his match."

"Seduce Lady Juliana Ivers and then cast her aside: Those are his sister's instructions. Alexius Braverton, Marquess of Sinclair - known as Sin to the ton - is happy enough to oblige, especially when he catches a glimpse of his target. Juliana is completely unlike the empty-headed chits who barely hold his attention for a week. A true gentleman would leave her to find a worthy suitor. But then, a Lord of Vice would never claim to be a gentleman.

Juliana is expected to marry well to improve her family's finances, even if she secretly longs to make a living through her musical compositions. A dalliance can only complicate matters, though not even practical Juliana can help succumbing to the aptly named Sin. But one unforgettable night will draw her into a scandalous affair - and a seduction begun as sport will soon become deliciously, dangerously real."Source

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Upon commenting and entering into the Tracy Anne Warren-'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' Giveaway, all those who commented/entered were given specific slot numbers (if you followed the instructions to get extra entries, your extra slots were added and given numbers as well). Scorpio M.'s number was randomly selected by random.org, so that makes her our winner!

The winner has been sent an email to the address listed in their entry -Please follow the instructions and send the necessary information to claim your prize. If the current winner fails to respond in 48 hours (September 18th ,2010), a re-drawing will take place and another entry will be selected.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

"Lady Maura O'Donnell swore to her father on his deathbed that she'd recover the Circle of Light, an enchanted Celtic relic that had brought the family prosperity - until it was stolen a century earlier by a notorious pirate. Now the pirate's descendant, the Duke of Gleneden, holds this rare treasure, and Maura would give anything to get it back . . .

Alec McBride knows when he's been had. Lady Maura tricked him into marriage with the expertise of a born seductress, and now she'll pay for her treachery. He'll ravish her, tempt her, tame her - until she sorely wishes she'd never heard of the Duke of Gleneden. Caught up in their game of revenge, Alec and Maura never notice what is happening in their hearts - until it's too late.

Their marriage may have been a farce, but there is nothing truer than their desire . . ."source

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Today marks the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. As we go about our day, let us always remember the many lives that were lost and the men & woman who fight to keep us safe. Keep a prayer in your hearts for the families and loved ones of those who have perished, and remember to keep the faith. Stay strong & untied, and always remember.

In my prayers,

-Rita

A quote to keep in mind:

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love."
- Washington Irvingsource

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Hello all you fabulous Dames, and welcome to Coffee Shop Conversations!

On this segment of the blog I will be conducting interviews with Authors, Bloggers and anyone else relative to the literary world and willing to answer my questions. Coffee Shops are great places to just relax, let the hair down and talk about life, love and good books! So without further adieu, let's get to chatting with my special guest:

Author: Christina Phillips

"Christina Phillips has always loved writing, and while her efforts in eighth grade usually involved space ships, time travel and unfortunate endings, as soon as she discovered romance novels a whole new world opened up. She now writes ancient historical romances about strong heroines and gorgeous warrior heroes who, no matter how torturous the journey, are guaranteed a happy-ever-after. Christina was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives in sunny Western Australia with her real-life hero and their three children."Source

"He was a master of seduction - but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most...

Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion-his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit. Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage-until he captures her heart as well as her body. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive."Source

Read an excerpt: hereRead a review of 'Forbidden' at The Book Pushers: hereBook Trailer/Blog Party Vid:

-Q&A Questions-RJ: Hey Christina! Thanks so much for stopping by for a little chat. Firstly, congratulations on your new book, 'Forbidden', available as of 09.07.10! What have the past few months been like; with finishing the book and anticipating it's release? What have you experienced emotionally as well as professionally with the completion of this new book?

CP:Thanks, Rita! The last few months have been hectic! I sold Forbidden last September, and it was originally slated for release in February 2011. But then at Christmas its date was brought forward to September 2010 which was very exciting but also a bit terrifying! There have been so many wonderful moments - seeing my gorgeous cover (which was even better than I'd imagined!), receiving a 4 Star review from Romantic Times BOOK Reviews and then having FedEx deliver my books!

RJ: Why don't you tell me and the readers a little bit about 'Forbidden' from the author's point of view?

CP:Forbidden is a story about two people who fall in love against impossible odds. They come from vastly different cultures and everything is stacked against them. Maximus has been charged by his emperor to destroy all Druids - and Carys is a Druid princess. And Carys has sworn to rid her land of the barbaric invaders - and yet she falls in love with one of their officers. It's a story about overcoming prejudice, the threat of war and the fury of ancient gods and goddesses.

RJ: Where did the inspirations for your plot, characters and setting come from?

CP: The inspiration for this book came to me one night while I was doing boring admin work. The scene literally fell into my mind of a Roman Centurion who was searching for his Druid princess lover, who had been captured by the wicked High Priest. I had no idea why any of this was happening but knew I had to find out or go insane!! And although none of that original scene survived into the book the overwhelming sense of impending doom did.

RJ: What challenges or difficulties did you face with the writing of this particular novel?

CP:One of the biggest challenges was I had no idea how the book was going to end! Even at the three-quarter point, I still had only the vaguest idea. Another challenge was building the world of my Druids. There's so little information about them and I wanted it to be as authentic as possible. Then there was the hierarchy of the Roman Legion and how Rome culture impacted on the conquered people.

RJ: 'Forbidden' is not your debut novel. How does it differ from your previous books and what were you trying to achieve with this one?

CP: Two years ago I sold two short erotic novelettes to The Wild Rose Press. Foretaste of Forever is a dark paranormal and Touch of the Demon is a dark futuristic. Forbidden is my first full length novel that sold and is an erotic ancient historical romance. My two novelettes were a departure for me, since I usually write full length books, and the reason I decided to go back to writing the longer books was because I enjoy having more room to world build and explore my characters. Forbidden does have a paranormal element woven throughout, but it's not paranormal in the way my novelettes are which have witches, demons and vampires.

RJ: Lets talk about your Hero and Heroine (Maximus & Carys). What are their flaws and what are their redeeming qualities? Also, why are they attracted to each other (aside from physical attraction)?

CP: Maximus is a patrician, a member of the nobility in Roman society. His upbringing was privileged and he was expected to follow a structured career path. However, being a bit of a rebel Maximus goes his own way, causing great scandal back in Rome. It's this aspect of his character that makes him more open-minded than, perhaps, some of his countrymen when he falls for Carys. He's an alpha male, a commander of troops and has been brought up to believe men are the superior gender (yeah, right!) But although his initial attraction to Carys is physical, it's not long before he is completely entranced by every aspect of her personality - even when her refusal to obey his commands drives him mad.

Carys is a Druid princess and like Maximus enjoyed a privileged upbringing - until the Romans invaded her beloved homeland. She is an acolyte of the Goddess of Wisdom, Cerridwen, and although she loves her goddess and will do anything for her she also has a habit of interpreting Signs in a way that best suits herself. I love that about her :-) After meeting Maximus, she decides to take him as her lover to prove to herself she is not deficient in matters of sex (as her previous lover accused) despite knowing he is the enemy of her people and it's her duty to kill him. But even before their first night is over she realizes she feels a lot more for this tough Roman than pure lust.

RJ: How did your writing journey begin and how did you get here? What pit-stops, wrong turns, and perfect lane changes did you make on your road to publication?

RJ: The writing process differs from author to author. Some are planners, and others just jump right in. Some consider themselves night writers, while others need daylight and a park bench or a coffee shop (wink) to set the mood for creativity; what's your writing process and atmosphere like?

CP:I decided to get serious about my writing at Easter 1999, not long after we moved to Australia from the UK. I started out writing category romance, then chick lit, then paranormal and after telling my critique partners I could never write an erotic romance because it was too hard, I then wrote two dark erotic novelettes. I discovered that I loved writing erotic romance so then tried my first ancient historical which hooked my agent's interest and sold to Berkley Heat.

CP:My writing process has changed a lot over the years. When I first started I planned every chapter in advance before starting the book. But now, I'm lucky if I know for sure how the book is going to end even when I'm half way through writing it! I much prefer to write during the day, and am lucky enough to have the spare bedroom as my office (which is just as well if you could see the amount of mess I make during the course of writing a book!) I've not tried writing on a park bench or in a coffee shop and don't think I'd be able to concentrate enough to actually do any writing!

RJ: Romances has transcended many different sectors of pop culture. I think the Beatles said it best, "All you need is love". This being a Romance Blog, I've got to ask: what are your favorite romance picks of the following: Favorite Love Song? Favorite Scent on a man? Favorite Romantic Comedy? and of course, Favorite Romance Novel?

RJ: What's coming up next for you (book-wise or otherwise)?

CP: I have so many favorite love songs but I especially love (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams. Those lyrics slay me every time. Favorite scent on a man? Well that would be whatever my husband happens to be using at the time!!! Fave romantic comedy, this is a hard one because I really enjoy romcoms. I love Sandra Bullock movies and have a soft spot for While You Were Sleeping which might also have something to do with Bill Pullman! Favorite romance novel? I can't possibly choose just one!!!

RJ:Do you have anything that you would like to address to your fans and the readers?

CP:In February 2011 the second book in the Forbidden series hits the shelves - Captive. This is Morwyn's story, Carys's best friend from book one, and has a wonderfully tortured hero.

RJ: Final Question: Name something shocking or interesting about yourself that the readers may not know.

CP: I want to say a big Thank You to all the readers for your support - it's truly appreciated! I keep my website updated on a regular basis - http://www.christinaphillips.com and blog a few times a week - http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com and love to hear from readers. I'm also on Twitter (ChristinaPh) and Facebook

RJ:Final Question: Name something shocing or interesting aboutyourself that the readers may not know!

CP:OMG. I can't think of anything! Although I do have a weird habit of saying I will NEVER do... whatever... (eg. write about vampires, write in first person present, write an erotic romance!) and then I immediately go and do it. Much to the amusement of my CPs!!!

RJ: Thanks so much Christina, for stopping by and sharing! Forbidden looks to be a really great books with TONS of heat and lots of historical info too!--

To all the readers, be sure to make use of those 'on the web' links above to better acquaint yourself with this fabulous author! This has been great! Good luck to all of the giveaway contestants and I hope all of you have enjoyed this edition of:

Okay, everybody. Let's give a warm welcome to author Christina Phillips, who will be hi-jacking the blog today in honor of her newest release, Forbidden (available TODAY). She's going to school us all in Roman/Druid history and answer the question: What is an ancient historical romance?

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Magical Heroine, Sexy Warrior ~ A Love Forbidden~

Thank you for having me on [Not Another Romance Blog] today, Rita! I’m very happy to be here to help celebrate the release of my debut ancient historical romance, Forbidden.

"He was a master of seduction - but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most...

Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion-his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.

Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage-until he captures her heart as well as her body.

Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive."

So what exactly is an ancient historical romance?

Well, ancient history is the period known as Classical Antiquity, the beginning of recorded Greek history in about 776 BC. It also roughly coincides with the traditional founding of Rome in 753 BC. Western scholars use the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 476 as the end of ancient European history and the start of the Middle Ages.

Book Trailer:

Forbiddenis set in AD 50 in Cymru (ancient Wales). The Romans invaded Britain in AD 43 and it took them seven years before they invaded the western peninsula, where they faced fierce resistance from the local tribes. But Rome wanted the gold and other precious minerals Cymru had to offer – and Rome wasn’t going to let a primitive province of the Empire get away with rebellion.

My hero, Maximus, is a Roman Centurion, a patrician and loyal to his Emperor and Rome. When he discovers his heroine, Carys, (who’s been spying on his bathing rituals for the last three months!) he’s instantly captivated. Who is this woman and why hasn’t she been seen in any of the villages the Legion has vanquished?

Goddess Picture

Carys is, in fact, a Druid princess and acolyte of the Goddess of Wisdom, Cerridwen. She and the rest of her clan of Druids escaped into a magical enclave before the Romans invaded, and are waiting for a sign from their gods before they attack their enemy. But despite knowing this Roman would strike her dead if he knew who – what – she is, Carys can’t stop thinking about him.

Claudius, the Roman Emperor at the time, hated Druids with a passion and wanted all trace of them wiped out across his Empire. This couldn’t be better for the purposes of my plot! I now had historical back up for my Romans’ determination to hunt down and eliminate any Druid who had escaped them during the initial invasion.

But why was Claudius so determined to eradicate the Druids?

Unfortunately, while there’s plenty of written and archeological evidence when it comes to the Romans, there’s not so much when it comes to the Druids. Caesar explains this lack of documentary evidence when talking of the Gaulish Druids: “they consider it improper to entrust their studies to writing.” And the contemporary written accounts we do have of them are invariably from the Roman viewpoint – the victors – so there’s likely to be some prejudice going on there!

Druid Priest preforming a ritual

But here’s what we do know about them. They were widely respected as the priests of Celtic society, held responsibilities for lawmaking, were the keepers of knowledge and wisdom and were known as magicians. They were also, according to the Romans, the rallying force behind the rebellious tribes that inhabited Cymru and the Druidic stronghold on the Isle of Mon (now known as the Isle of Anglesey, off the west coast of Wales).

The Romans saw Druidism as a serious menace against the might of their Empire, and Claudius was convinced that as long as Druids remained in Britannia then rebellion and resistance would continue to flourish among the tribes.

This period of history is so rich with inherent conflict that as a romance writer I find it hard to resist! In Forbidden, Maximus has been charged by his Emperor to eliminate all Druids. And Carys, the woman he falls in love with, is one of Rome’s bitterest enemies.

~*~Giveaway Details~*~

Christina Phillips has generously offered to giveaway a copy of 'Forbidden' to (1) one lucky commenter (International)! Follow the guidelines below and comment for your chance to win. The giveaway will end on Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 at 11:59:00 PM. The winner will be announced and contacted via email on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010.

Giveaway Guidelines: To be entered in the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment stating what you found interesting about Chistina's guest post/or leave a question for Christina. [include your email address!]*(NO EMAIL= INVALID ENTRY)

For Extra Entries (do one or more of the following for extra shots at winning): +2 'Like' Christina's Facebook Fan Page and/or leave a nice message on her wall.+2 'Like' The 'Not Another Romance Blog' Blog on Facebook+3 Visit Christina's blog and leave a comment on any post you like.(state/link-to that post in your comment-entry here)+4Spread the word: Tweet on Twitter, Post a Facebook status, or blog about this interview and giveaway (provide a link to where/what you did)+5 Become a Follower/ Be a Follower+6 Comment on my Coffee Shop Conversations Interviewwith Christina

(How-to guide for providing links to a specific facebook or twitter status': here)

IMPORTANT-Tell me in your comment which extra entries you are entitled to and include the necessary links so that I can verify what you did, or they will not count!

*INTERNATIONAL-this giveaway is open to residence all over the world (*wherever the Book Depository ships* You can check if BD will ship to your country: here)